What’s hip hop happening these days in the world of flowers? Dahlias.  Big, fluffy headed, flowers in the most gorgeous of colours and popping up everywhere as the uber cool flower.  Then there’s the gladioli – as raved about by Nicky Chapman on the Beeb – the zinnia and the marigold … heck even the humble carnation is getting better press these days (except we now call them dianthus coz it stops that dreaded ‘I won’t have carnations’ syndrome)

Basically flowers are just like fashion and what wouldn’t have been seen dead (never mind alive) in a vase a couple of years ago are now the ‘must have’ flower as far as the meeja are concerned.

Which is why any self respecting florist has to be increasingly canny on what they buy and instead of stocking all the same old same olds week in week out needs to be absolutely on-trend with a range of different flowers and plants.

Not just because all the same old same olds are being flogged at silly low prices in supermarkets but, unless you stock something different you have no USP and so the only comparison – given most consumers are not as streetwise as you on inner quality or technical skill – is price and that’s a battle independents are ever likely to win.

Flowers are as much a fashion item as clothes, food or interiors and why being on-trend and constantly changing the mix shouldn’t be viewed as a fad or gimmick but the lifeblood of business that keeps customers interested and coming back.  The staples will always be needed but along with the floral equivalent of black leggings make sure there are some funky ‘accessories’ as well.